Donor issues challenge: Raise $100K for Food for Lane County

Share this story

EUGENE, Ore. - An anonymous donor has offered to match all donations to Food for Lane County in February up to $100,000.

That means if the public contributes $100,000 total, the donor will match that amount dollar for dollar.

While the economy shows signs of improvement, long-term unemployment remains a challenge in Oregon, the food bank said. Last year, almost 5,000 people relied on food boxes to meet their food needs.

Food for Lane County director Beverlee Hughes estimates the agency will distribute 8 million pounds of food in 2013, which would be a new record.

She said the money raised in February would be used to buy more food and expand the mobile pantry program serving Springfield and Culp Creek. The food bank wants to expand the mobile pantry to the River Road area.